November 15, 2017 (Alexandria, VA) - On November 14, the Water Environment & Reuse Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to installing and maintaining decentralized systems in collaboration with the EPA and eighteen other partners. The “Decentralized Wastewater Management Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Between the EPA and Partner Organizations” was created in 2005 to improve the overall performance and management of decentralized systems through facilitated collaboration between EPA headquarters, EPA regions, state and local governments, and national organizations representing practitioners in the industry.

The MOU builds on the success of previous MOUs by working to improve maintenance of decentralized systems, continue collaborative efforts on training and certification, promote public awareness, and support education on the management of decentralized systems. The key objectives of the MOU partnership are to:

EPA and the signatory organizations have identified several core priorities that they intend to emphasize during the 2017 – 2020 MOU period. Key priorities include:

• Ensure decentralized systems are maintained and functioning properly in order to protect water quality and public health.
• Leverage existing funding mechanisms for decentralized wastewater treatment systems.
• Promote job growth and professionalism in the decentralized wastewater industry.

The signing organizations will continue to exchange information on program activities, regulations, and plans for engaging members to meet the goals of the MOU.

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The Water Environment & Reuse Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization, funds research, pilot projects, and technology demonstrations that maximize the value of water, including wastewater, stormwater, and other water sources. WE&RF is recognized worldwide as a trusted source of innovation and peer-reviewed research in wastewater, water reuse, and resource recovery. www.werf.org